By EDISON Okereke
Workers serving in the Temple of Justice, have been called upon to ensure a speedy trial of matters before them or adopt the Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, process.
The President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, made the plea while flagging off a 3-day Plenary Assembly of the Canon Law Society of Nigeria, CLSN, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Ugorji said, “
“The old adage reminds us that justice delayed is justice denied. Court proceedings in Nigeria sadly last very long and often with attendant costs involving huge legal fees and fees for the filing of documents. Such costs are often beyond what the poor can afford.
“Furthermore, there are possibilities of miscarriage of justice, with the risk of reputational damage and its attendant publicity in the media as well as its preservation in a public registry for future reference.
“Above all and beyond, legal battles fought in courts, far from reconciling the disputing parties, often deepen enmity and lead to a total breakdown in relationship
“In contrast to litigation, ADR is a cheaper, faster, less stressful, and more effective way of resolving disputes in a more private atmosphere.
“Common ADR processes include negotiation, conciliation, mediation and arbitration, each varying in formality and the involvement of a third party
“In the process of negotiation, disputing parties engage in direct communication with each other to reach a mutual agreement without the involvement of a third party.
“It is evident from the foregoing that trials in courts can be rigorous, time consuming and sometimes expensive. It is even more so in a secular court of law.
“For instance, in the processes of negotiation, conciliation and mediation, parties play important roles in resolving their own disputes in a more flexible and amicable manner than court-imposed judgements with unsavoury effects.
“This often results in creative solutions, long-lasting outcomes, greater satisfaction and preservation of relationship between the two disputing parties.
“By addressing disputes in a timely manner, ADR helps prevent them from escalating into larger conflicts, thereby enhancing social stability and cohesion.”
